Senate debates Motions

Yunupingu, Dr G


Anne Urquhart

Anne Urquhart Tasmania, Australian Labor Party

11:51 am

At the request of Senator McCarthy, I move:

That the Senate:

(a) acknowledges the passing of Dr G Yunupingu and extends its deepest sympathies to his family, friends, colleagues and the Yolngu people;

(b) applauds his contribution to Australian music;

(c) acknowledges that his album Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) has become the first album in Australian history recorded in an Indigenous language to reach number one on the ARIA charts; and

(d) notes that the names of the songs listed on Djarimirri are as follows:

  Waak (Crow)

  Galiku (Flag)

  Ngarrpiya (Octopus)

  Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow)

  Djolin (Musical Instrument)

  Marrayarr (Flag)

  Gapu (Freshwater)

  Djilawurr (Scrubfowl)

  Baru (Saltwater Crocodile)

  Gopuru (Tuna Swimming)

  Djapana (Sunset)

  Wulminda (Dark Clouds).

James McGrath

James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines

Sue Lines Deputy-President

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath

James McGrath Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister

The government supports this motion and acknowledges Dr Yunupingu's contribution as a leading Indigenous musician who left a legacy in the music industry, the Indigenous community and across the whole nation. The government expresses its deep condolences to Dr Yunupingu's family and friends.

Question agreed to.